The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced during the conclusion of its World Travel Market in London, that Abu Dhabi has received a commendation in the ‘City Break’ category at this year’s Selling Travel Agents Choice Awards. Jane Dawkins, Senior Trade Executive at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi collected the award which is the only UK travel trade award nominated and voted for by UK travel retailers alone.

During her visit, she met officials from DCT Abu Dhabi who briefed her about a number of new initiatives that focus on enhancing and developing cultural tourism, in order to attract more visitors from the UK and European countries to Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on Abu Dhabi’s participation at World Travel Market, HE Al Otaiba said, “This participation plays an active and important role in attracting tourists to cultural and tourism landmarks and sites in the UAE, in addition to promoting tourism across economic and cultural aspects.”

“DCT Abu Dhabi’s participation, and representation of the Emirate capital is an occasion for exchanging expertise between the UAE and the UK, as it enriches the Emirate and its establishments, particularly since the UK is a centre for drawing tourists from around the world, with a large popular deeply rooted in cultural tourism such as theatres, museums, and cultural and archaeological landmarks.

On the sidelines of the fair, DCT Abu Dhabi’s participating partners unveiled a number of programs and promotional offers set to increase inbound tourism from the UK and Europe in general. They affirmed that the UK market is one of the most important tourism markets along with Germany, both contributing to a significant percentage.

They further praised DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment in involving partners in various tourism fairs and tours organised by the Department, giving them the opportunity to conduct meetings with decision makers on the global landscape as well as convene with partners from international travel agencies for prospects of cooperation and promotion of offers being launched during the current season.

During the World Travel Market, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, represented by the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs also participated in the fair. The Directorate participated in DCT Abu Dhabi’s pavilion by promoting the advanced system for tourism, therapeutic, and education visas, and were also present for enquiries about entry and residency permits in the UAE. The participating delegation was led by Colonel Butti Al Mazrouei, Director of Entry and Residence Permissions Management at the Directorate, Captain Ahmed Al Rashidi, First Lieutenant Mohammed Al Kaabi, and First Warrant Officer Omar Al Bariki.

Brigadier General Saeed Salem Al Shamesi, Executive Director of the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs said “Participating in important international fairs like the World Travel market is part of the ongoing cooperation between the Directorate and DCT Abu Dhabi for tourism, therapeutic, and educational promotion of Abu Dhabi and highlighting its reputation across major tourism companies and partners in order to register in the advanced system for the range of visa categories.”

DCT Abu Dhabi, during their participation at World Travel Market, also promoted the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 due to be held from 14th to 21st March 2019, which is set to be the biggest sporting and humanitarian event in the world with over 7,500 athletes and 3,000 coaches participating from more than 176 states.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the biggest and most supportive sporting and humanitarian event, integrating People of Determination in the event’s various cultural, sporting, and social activities.

The World Games will set a peerless example of enthusiasm, happiness, courage and skill, which embody the Special Olympics movement. The Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi will be the single biggest event held in the UAE, and the first-ever Special Olympics held in the Middle East and North Africa, with competitions in 24 Olympic sports in sites across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The official opening ceremony, due to be held on March 14, is expected to be attended by 45,000 viewers along with millions via mass media, with the global media partner ESPN and the local media partner Abu Dhabi Media broadcasting this event to the whole world.